Epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands: results of a comprehensive control program.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the impact of a long-term comprehensive control program for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia, and to investigate a recent rise in gonorrhoea prevalence.


METHODS
STI prevalence was determined from annual, cross-sectional, population-wide, age-based screening, 1996-2006. During 2006, gonococcal isolates were obtained by on-site culture and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility.


METHODS
Six remote clinics on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia, which are served by Nganampa Health Council, an Aboriginal community-controlled health service.


METHODS
All resident Aboriginal people aged 14-40 years at the commencement date of each annual population-wide screen.


METHODS
Multivariable logistic regression models were used to compare prevalence of chlamydial infection, gonorrhoea and syphilis measured during each annual population-wide screen; antimicrobial susceptibility of gonococcal isolates obtained in 2006.


RESULTS
Between 1996 and 2003, there was a significant reduction in prevalence of gonorrhoea and chlamydial infection, by 67% and 58%, respectively. Subsequently, chlamydia prevalence rate plateaued, but there was a rapid rise in prevalence of gonorrhoea. Syphilis prevalence decreased linearly over the study period (odds ratio, 0.81; P < 0.001). During the first 6 months of 2006, 89 gonococcal isolates were obtained, 39 through on-site culture during the 6-week screening period, and all were sensitive to penicillin (in the less-sensitive category).


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in STI prevalence associated with the program was maintained until 2006 for chlamydial infection and syphilis, but not for gonorrhoea, which rose in prevalence after 2003. There was no change in antimicrobial resistance to explain this rise, and gonorrhoea transmission dynamics and travel of core transmitters to regions without STI control programs might be responsible.
Huang
Rae-Lin
RL
Nganampa Health Council, Alice Springs, NT, Australia. raelin.huang@palya.org.au
Torzillo
Paul J
PJ
Hammond
Vivien A
VA
Coulter
Stephanie T
ST
Kirby
Adrienne C
AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult